Locking device for match-frames



No. 625,522. Patented May 23, |899.

W. W. THOMPSON.

LOCKING DEVICE FUR MATCH FRAMES.

(AppliazonA med July 2o, 189e.) (No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAIWI W. THOMPSON, OF PASSATO, NEWF JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE CONTINENTAL MATCH COMPANY, OF NEIV JERSEY.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR MATCH-FRAMES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 625, 522, dated May 23, 1899.

Application filed July 20, 1898.v Serial No. 686,405. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. THOMPSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Passaic, in the county of Passaic and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Locking Devices for Match- Frames, of which the following is aspeciiication.

My invention relates to a locking devicefor a match-frame such as is used in the manufacture of matches to hold the match-splints in proper position for dipping. My experience with the locking devices heretofore used on such frames has been troublesome, because they are difficult to put on, or do not hold securely, or cannot be easily released, or are unsatisfactory in other ways.

The object of my invention is to provide a locking device that can be quickly and readily locked and unlocked and easily adjusted and that will at all times be thoroughly reliable.

My invention consists in the combination of a clamping-bar to press against the slats between which the match-splints are held, guide-rods to`hold the clamping-bar in place, a stop, such as a nut, on the guide-rod, and a locking-bar adapted to bridge the space between the clamping-bar and the stop, loosely attached at one end to the guide-rod and adapted to be released at the other end. In the best form of my invention the stop on the guide-redis made adjustable and the lockingbar is made U-shaped, with a hole in one end larger than the guide-rod and with the other end slotted or yoke-shaped, so as to embrace the rod, but to be capable of being released therefrom.

In the drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like letters of reference designate like parts in both views, Figure l is a top view of a match-frame provided with the best form of my locking device. Fig. 2 shows the locking-bar in perspective.

The match-frame is constituted with two guide-rods b h, inserted in a bar A', one near each extremity. Slats a a slide on these rods, the rods passing through holes near the eX- tremities of the slats. Beyond the slats and sliding on the guide-rods in the same way is the clamping-bar A. The ends of the rods are screw-threaded to receive the nuts C.

Bis a locking-bar which is adapted to bridge lthe space between the clamping-bar A and the nut O. `In the best form of the invention its ends are bent over at right angles, so as to make the bar U-shaped, and one of these ends is pierced with a hole D somewhat larger than the guide-rod, while the other end is yokeshaped, as shown at d, Fig. 2. Both ends might be made yoke-shaped, the bar being thus entirely removable from the guide-rod. The bar B is of such length that when the frame is iilled with match-splints and the Fig. l the bar B is shown in its locking position. When it is desired to unlock the frame to take out the matches, the yoke-shaped end is Withdrawn, as is shown at the upper right hand of Fig. l. The nut C allows for adjustment for splints of different sizes and for other purposes. As the hole D in the end of the locking-bar B is larger than the guide-rod, the locking-bar can be moved so as to lock or unlock the frame and without disengaging the lower end of the bar B from the guide-rod. Thus one end of the bar is adapted to remain in place near the rod, while the other end is adapted to be pressed close to the rod oragainst the rod when the frame is to be locked or clamped, so as to hold the matches, and to be drawn away from the rod when the frame is to be opened or unlocked. A

My locking device is easily locked or unlocked, yet it holds the matches securely in the frame and is not liable to be unlocked accidentally in the ordinary manipulation of the frame. It is simple and economical in construction. When the nuts have been properly adjusted on the guide-rods, they do not have to be turned again in the ordinary use of the frame.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a match-frame, the combination of a guide-rod, slats adapted to slide on the rod, a stop on the rod, a. clamping-bar adapted to slide on the rod and a bar adapted to bridge the space between the clamping-bar and the stop, one end of which enoiroles the rod loosely so as to remain in place on the rod and the other end of which is adapted to be pressed Close to the rod when the frame is to be looked and to be drawn away from the rod when the frame is 'to be unlocked, substantially as set forth.

2. In a match-frame, the combination of a guide-rod, a clamping-bar sliding upon it, an adjustable stop on the rod, and a bar adapted to bridge the space between the clamping-bar and the stop, provided at one end with a hole larger than the rod, through which the rod passes, and at the other end with a slot adapted to receive the rod, whereby the slotted end of the bar can be released from the rod, substantially as set forth.

3. In a match-frame, the combination with the clamping-bar A, and the slats a, of the guide-rods b, the nuts C on the guide-rods, and the bars B having a yoke-shaped end CZ adapted to slip over the guide-rod, and having in the other end a hole D larger than the guiderod, through which the guide-rod passes, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM W. THOMPSON.

Witnesses:

CHARLES RUST, HERMAN RUST. 

